Should I dump all the bags of materials out at the same time and let her fish them out, or should we go bag by bag?

Should I have her go step by step, or should I have her decide whether she wanted to go in order?

The box says “Ages 6-12.” How much stock should I take in that?

How much should I intervene in general when she gets frustrated with pushing difficult pieces together, or pulling things apart?

Honestly, it wasn’t long before I started drawing mental parallels to various modern approaches to learning. Many questions remain unanswered–on both Rapunzel’s LEGO tower, and the varied viewpoints on 21st century learning–but I found that as I organized the latter in LEGO terms, I can begin to better sort out the bottom-line question:

Instruction Manuals: Teachers of each age group possess the instruction manuals, which are handed down from a variety of organizations. The sequence of all the steps is usually executed without deviation.

The picture on the box: Students who have learned the instruction manual, at least in multiple choice format.

Construction process: Depending on the step the collective class is on, the teacher photocopies a page from the instruction manual for each student to work on. They do this for a variety of boxes (subjects) throughout the day, but each box is done during separate times of the day.

Age Recommendations: Generally, very strict adherence to age is practiced.

Instruction Manuals: Mitra has created a SOLE toolkit for educators and parents alike. This explains how to set up a SOLE, lists examples of “Big questions” the teacher might ask students to research, and cites troubleshooting challenges. The teacher presents the questions.

The picture on the box: Students who can unlock inborn curiosity with collaborative research time–able to find answers to questions without adult instructional input.

The LEGO materials: 1 computer per 4 children, paper and pens, and maybe a nametag for the peer helper student.

Construction process: The teacher poses a question and then students investigate it in groups of 4. They can change groups, get ideas from other groups, and move around. A peer helper manages behavior.

Age Recommendations: Ages 8-12 is the current framework for the SOLE toolkit.

Instruction Manuals: Known as “Whole Child Education” in which priority is placed on exploring all learning styles.

The picture on the box: Students who have developed values of creativity, self-control, problem solving, social skills, and physical coordination.

The LEGO materials: Teachers are trained to carefully set up learning environments that involve work centers by subject. High priority is placed on aesthetic and order.

Construction process: Students are given large blocks of uninterrupted time to experiment with the materials. Much of the time is self-directed by individual students, although they are also encouraged at times to work in groups.

Age Recommendations: Blended ages of young children, often in age groups of 2-3, 3-6, and 6-9.

The picture on the box: Hopefully, learners who can trust themselves and identify their personal needs to live happy lives. This is not forced however–if a learner shows no interest in this picture, it will not be forced upon him or her.

The LEGO materials: Chosen by each individual learner.

Construction process: Students learn at home on his or her own terms. Parents offer support and encouragement, but do not force any learning on the child.